Folding umbrella.



P. P. MILLER.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

APPLICATION FILED FEB.20,1909.

Patented Feb. 22, 1910.

INVENTOR HI IUH D Cv UNITED STATES T OFFICE.

FRANK P. MILLER, OF MEADVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO REGAL UMBRELLA COMPANY, OF YORK, PENNSYLVANIA, A CORPORATION OF PENNSYLVANIA.

FOLDING UMBRELLA.

Specification of Letters Patent.

ilatented Feb. 1910.

Application filed February 20, 1909. Serial No. 479,156.

To all whom it "may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANK P. MILLER, a resident of Meadville, in the county of Crawford and State of Pennsylvania, haye invented a new and useful Improvement in 1 Folding Umbrellas, (Case 2,) of which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to folding umbrellas.

The object is to provide an umbrella which can be easily folded into a compact form so that it can be placed in an ordinary traveling bag, which can be folded and unfolded or put in normal condition in a few seconds, which is simple and strong, which can be made at. a reasonable cost, and which is sightly in appearance.

For the accomplishment of the foregoing ends, the invention comprises the construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described and claimed.

In the accompanying drawings, Figure 1. is a side view of an umbrella frame constructed according to my invention showing the same in normal condition, that is, ready for use; Fig. 2 is a similar view showing the same partly folded; Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the same still further folded; Figs. 4 and 5 are respectively plan and side views of the rib joint; Fig. 6 is a longitudinal sectional view of the upper joint in the stick; Figs. 7 and 8 are re spectively plan and side views of the same; Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing the upper catches; Fig. 10 is a detail view showing the lower catch; and Figs. 11 and 12 are respectively cross-sectional and inside views of the loop for securing the cloth to the ribs.

The umbrella comprises the usual notch 1, to which are pivotally connected ribs, each formed in two sections or halves, namely, an upper half 2, and a lower half 3. These sections form a rib which is jointed substantially midway of its length, the joint being indicated at 4. This joint may be of any suitable type, but preferably is such that the rib sections are prevented from folding except in one direction, namely, outwardly. The joint shown is formed by the hinge lugs of the two rib sections projecting slightly outwardly so that the two rib sections can fold parallel to each other. The end of the lower rib section is formed as a hinge lug, and is hinged directly to another hinge lug secured to or formed as a part of either the upper rib section or the projection next described. To prevent the lower rib section from folding inwardly beyond a straight line, a suitable stop 5 is provided in the form of a projection ex tending below the rib joint and engaging the lower rib section when it comes into alincment with the upper rib section. This projection may be formed in any suitable manner. It may consist of a rod suitably secured to the upper rib section and lying in the groove of the U shaped rib, as shown in the accompanying drawings; or the entire upper rib section may be of the common round or rod-like construction, and its lower end allowed to project below the rib joint and fall into the groove of the lower U shaped rib section; or, the upper rib sectioninay be U shaped and inverted so that the roove is on the outside, its lower end allowed to project below the joint, and the lower rib section of round construction and made to fall into the groove of the U shaped projection; or, both rib sections may be of round construction, and the projection consist of a U shaped piece suitably secured to the under side of the upper rib section and made to project below the joint so that the lower rib section will fall into the groove of the projection. I do not wish, however, to be restricted to any specific manner of constructing the joint, my general purpose being to have two rib sections hinged directly to each other and a projection extending from the upper rib section below the joint to prevent the lower rib section from folding inwardly beyond a straight line, together with a slidable sleeve on the lower rib section to engage the projection, as next described.

Slidably mounted on the lower half of each rib is a sleeve 6 having movement thereon and arranged to be brought over the projection 5 at the joint t, and thereby hold the two rib halves in alincmcnt, or in the condition of a single rigid rib. The lower half of the rib is provided with a pair of bulges 7 and 8, one near the joint and one farther below the same and serving to frictionally hold the sleeve against movement when in position engaging or looking the projection 5, or when disengaged therefrom. These bulges may be formed by slightly spreading the paragon ribs at these points, or in any other desired manner. The sleeve 6 cannot accidentally slip downwardly so that the ribs are held rigid under all conditions and the umbrella cannot accident-ally collapse in a wind. Since the sleeve 6 does not slip over the joint 4 the latter can be made large enough to give ample strength. It may have three hinge lugs on the lower half of the rib and two on the upper half, or vice versa, as shown in Fig. 4:, thus making the joint practically indestructible. The usual braces 10 at their outer-ends are pivoted to ears 11 on the upper rib halves, and at their inner ends are pivoted to the usual runner 12.

The stick comprises a tube and a rod telescoping therein. The tube comprises an upper section 14; having the notch 1 secured to its upper end, and a lower section 15. These sections are of substantially the same length and are joined together, such as by intervening links or short tube section 1(3 pivoted to both the upper and lower main sections. This provides a tubular stick member jointed substantially midway of its length. The rod comprises three sections; an upper section 17, a middle section 18 and lower section 19. The upper section carries the usual tip or ferrule 20 and the lower section has connected thereto the handle 21. These sections are connected by suitable joints, such as the straps or link members shown, constituting the upper joint 22 and the lower joint 23. These joints are so formed that they can bend or flex in one direction only in order to facilitate unfolding the stick ready for use. This is accomplished by providing the ends of the rod with slots closed on one side, as at 24. in which slots the ends of the links 25 are pivoted. Obviously the closed sides 24 of the slots prevent the links from swinging in that direction. At the joint 16 the ends of the outer tube members may also be extended on one side as shown at- 26, to prevent the joint being flexed in that direction. This construction of the outer tube at joint 16 will also prevent the flexing of the rod except in the one direction and makes it unnecessary to close one side of the slot in the rod at said joint, if so desired. This construction may be applied to either one or both of joints 22 and 16.

hen the umbrella is in its normal con dition, the rod is inclosed in the tube and is pushed up to its fullest extent, being held in that position by the lower spring catch 27 which is carried by the rod and projects through a slot in the tube and serves to hold the rod against being pulled downwardly, and by the upper spring catch 28 which projects through a slot in the tube and aids in holding the rod against further movement upwardly, although this is not necessary since the handle 21 abuts against the lower end of the tube 15 and prevents the rod from moving upwardly. These catches also serve the usual function of spring catches on umbrella sticks, namely to hold the runner both when the umbrella is closed and when it is open.

The lower spring has the usual catch portion 27 which serves to hold the runner 12 down, and a higher catch portion 29 which projects through a separate slot in the tube 15 and prevents the rod from being released when the spring catch 27 is pressed inwardly to release the runner. The lower spring catch is in reality a double one, being made as a single spring with two parts of different heights. Vhen raising the umbrella the thumb is pressed against 27 but as 29 is higher it is not pressed in far enough to release the rod. \Vhen it is desired to fold the umbrella the thumb is pressed against 29 and this pushes both parts of the catch in far enough to free the tube so that the rod can be drawn down to folding position. At the top a double catch. is also provided, so that the runner can be allowed to either slide downwardly as in the ordinary closing of the umbrella, or upwardly toward the notch when folding the umbrella, as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. If desired a double catch similar to the one used at the lower end of the stick may be employed at the top. Pref erably I use two catches, 2S and 30, each mounted in the outer tube and provided with a fulcrum bearing against the opposite wall of the inner tube. The catch 28 is provided with an extension 32 overlapping an extension 38 on the catch 30, so that. both catches are depressed by merely pressing on the catch 28. The catch serves to hold the runner from dropping when the umbrella is open, while the catch 30 serves as an escutcheon pin to prevent the runner from rising and the umbrella from turning inside out. When the umbrella is'to be folded the catch 30 depressed to permit the runner to slide up against the notch. The catches 28 and 30 are secured to the outer tube and lie in a slot 38 cut in the inner tube or rod and prevent the latter from turning and so hold the joints in the outer tube and the rod in relative parallel positions for folding. The upper end 33 of the slot acts as a stop to prevent the rod being entirely pulled out of the outer tube.

To fold the umbrella the sleeves 6 are first released from the projections 5 of the ribs. This leaves the joints 4 of the ribs entirely free, so that the lower halves of the ribs can be folded outwardly and upwardly as shown in Figs. 2 and 3. The catch 30 is then depressed, allowing the runner to slide up toward the notch and bring the braces and upper ribhalves parallel with the stick. The high part 29 of the lower spring catch is then pressed inwardly, releasing the rod from the tube and permitting the rod to be drawn downwardly. This rod is drawn downwardly until its upper joint 22 comes opposite or registers with the joint 16 in the tube, or until the upper end 38 of the slot in the rod strikes the upper catch 30. in this position the lower joint 23 on the rod is entirely below the lower tube section 15 and said rod can, therefore, be folded into three sections, as is shown in Fig.

The ribs fold in two parts, being jointed practically midway of their length, while the handle folds practically in three parts, and all are compactly folded together, as

will be clearly apparent from Fig. 3, and i are then secured in folded position by the strap 3% secured to the inner face of the lower half of a rib and which as the umbrella is folded, comes on the outside, as will be readily understood. The strap is pro vided on its ends with ordinary clasp fasteners 35. The cover or cloth 36 is secured to the lower halves of the ribs by means of a loop 37 formed in or secured to the cloth at the seam such as extending the edges of the cloth sufliciently to form the loop. The rib extends through this loop and the latter provides a stronger fastening than the usual sewing.

The umbrella described is neat and sightly in appearance. It is of simple construction and can be supplied at a reasonable cost. It folds into a very compact form so that it can be put in an ordinary traveling case, and can be quickly folded or unfolded. \Vhen in its normal condition, it has all the appearance of an ordinary umbrella and is just as strong and rigid as such umbrella, so that it can be used as a walking stick if desired. Since the rib sections are hinged directly together and the joints can fold in only one direction a very stiff and rigid construction is provided and one which enables the umbrella to be easily and quickly folded and unfolded. The stick is also rigid, since the two joints of the rod are located practically midway of the two tube sections, while the joint of the tube is held rigid by the middle rod section. This gives a long bearing at each of the joints and renders the stick very rigid.

What I claim is:

1. An umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being jointed substantially midway of their lengths and the stick comprising a tube carrying the notch and jointed by a link member substantially midway of its length, and a rod telescoping in said tube and provided with a tip and a handle and having two joints, said rod being slidable in the tube to bring one of its joints into register with the joint in the tube and its other joint below the tube.

2. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being jointed substantially midway of their lengths, and the stick being composed of a tube carrying the notch and jointed by a link member substantially midway of its length, and a rod telescoping in said tube and provided with a tip and a handle and I having two joints, said rod being slidable j in said tube to bring one of its joints into register with the joint in the tube and its l other joint below the tube, a spring catch arranged to hold said rod immovable in the tube, and a stop for limiting the downward movement of the rod in the tube.

3. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a jointed stick, said ribs being formed in two equal length sections hinged directly to each other in alinement and one having a projection extending beyond the joint, sleeves slidable on the ribs and arranged to engage the projections and hold the joints in the ribs against flexing, and means arranged to hold said sleeves against movement in either direction.

l. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed into equal length actions hinged directly to each other in alinemcnt, sleeves arranged to slide on the ribs and to hold said joints against flexing, the stick comprising a tube carrying the notch and jointed substantially midway of its length and a rod telescoping in the tube and provided with a tip and a handle and having two joints, said rod being slidable in the tube to bring one of its joints into register with the joint on the tube and its other joint below the tube,

A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed in two equal length sections hinged directly together in alinement,sleeves slidable on the ribs and arranged to hold said joints against flexing, projections arranged to hold said sleeves from movement when holding the joints, and the stick comprising a tube carrying the notch and jointed substantially midway of its length and a rod telescoping in the tube and provided with a tip and a handle and having two joints, said rod bein slidable in the tube to bring one of its joints into register with the joint in the tube and the other joint below the tube.

6. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed in sections hinged directly to each other, the braces being hinged to the upper sections, sleeves slidable on the ribs and arranged to hold said joints against flexin and a retractable catch arranged both above and below the runner when the umbrella is in open condition.

7. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed in sections hinged directly to i each other, the joints being ar 'anged to flex in one direction only and the braces being hinged to the upper rib sections, sleeves slid- &

able .on the ribs and arranged to hold the joints against flexing, and a retractable catch arranged both above and below the runner when the umbrella is in open condition.

8. A foldingumbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed in sections hinged directly to each other, the ribs being hinged to the upper rib sections, projections on the upper sections extending beyond the joint, sleeves slidable on the lower rib sections and arranged to engage said projections, and a retractable catch arranged both above and below the runner when the umbrella is in open condition.

9. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being formed in sections having hinge lugs slightly on their outer sides and pivotally connected, projections on the upper rib sections extending beyond the joint, sleeves slidable on the lower rib sections and ar-. ranged to engage said projections and abut against the joints, and means arranged to hold said sleeves against movement.

10. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being of U shape and formed in sections hinged together, and rods secured in the grooves of one half of the ribs and projecting beyond the ends thereof, and sleeves slidable on the other half of the ribs and arranged to engage said projections and hold the joints against flexing, the sides of the U shaped ribs being bulged outwardly for frictionally holding said sleeves against movement.

11.. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said stick comprising a tube ointed midway of its length and having the notch secured to its upper end, and an inclosed rod formed in three sections hinged together and slidable in said tube and provided with a tip and a jhandle, means for locking the rod to the 1 tube, and a catch on the tube pro ectmg into a groove in the rod and arranged to guide the movement of the rod and to prevent the rod being drawn too far out of the tube.

12. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, runner, and a stick, said stick comprising a jointed tube and a jointed stick therein, and a double lower spring catch carried by the rod and having portions of different heights projecting through sep arate slots in the tube, the lower one engaging the runner, and the higher one serving to lock the tube and rod together.

13. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, jointed ribs, braces, runner, and a jointed stick, separately pivoted catches carried by the stick and lying respectively above and below the runner when the umbrella is open, and connections between said catches whereby one is depressed by the operation of the other.

14. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, jointed ribs, braces, runner, a jointed stick, and a cover, the cover fabric being formed into loops through which the ribs extend.

15. A folding umbrella comprising a notch, ribs, braces, a runner, and a stick, said ribs being jointed substantially midway of their lengths and the lower sections adapted to fold outwardly over the upper sections, and the stick being formed in jointed sections, and a strap secured to one of the lower rib sections on its inner side and arranged when said lower ribs sections are folded over the upper rib sections to be passed around the folded umbrella.

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto set my hand.

FRANK P. MILLER.

\Vitnesses JAMES G. DUNNY, ETI-IEL G. Corn. 

